San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-12
CONDITIONS.
MISS WeBER'S MISTAKE.
By Mrs. w. II. Palmer.

Mrs. Lauriston passed the door with
a lady friend.
Enough said,' remarked the latter;
marian Weber has never done so with
any other man. She will marry this
one."
Standing by himself for few mo-
ments, Floyd Marble allowed himself
sense of eXultatiOn.
The engagement is practically an
nounced," he murmured to himself,
with an harassed look stealing over his
face and sense of relief in his tone.
MAY attend you home, Marianp"
he asked, as he escorted Miss Weber to
the dressing-rOOm.
YES" with her fine, magnetic smile;
''if you will not allow any one to see
that you do"
They drove home together. At her
door Floyd Marble buttoned his over
coat close and walked away. Some way
he fnstinctively avoided the light which
from time to time the street lights flung
in his face.
Within doors. Miss Weber was sur
prised to be told that Reuben Joyce de-
sired to see her for moment; that he
had, in fact, been awaiting her return
for an hour.
"My business is important, Miss
Weber" said the detective, "or would
not have intruded at this hour. have
found the party who stole your check"
Now in her secret soul Miss Weber
had accused the detective himself as
the most likely thief of the check which
had disappeared SO mysteriOusly. She
felt excited and cold, and stood perfect
ly silent.
THE check was cashed this morning
for Mr.. Marble, who, by-the-way, had
annexed cipher to the figures, before
presenting it,"
Miss Weber staggered backward and
held by chair.
II know have shocked you, madam.
You would be less surprised if had
told my whole story the other day."
why did you nOt2"
You did not ask If what told was
cate.n
Tell me what you know"
"Mr. Marble" the man began, "trav-
eled from North Carolina-with lady.
If you desire you may prove"
"Hushl 1t is none of my business. l
do not believe it,"
At that moment the door-bell rang
sharply.
II took the liberty" said Reuben
Joyce, ito ask your friend, Mr.. Lauris-
he"
"Then he knows-what you have told
me?"
"He does"
''In that case" said Miss Weber,
proudly, I'VE will prove or disprove
these accusations. Until they are
proved, |, for one, discredit them
"You will find" said Reuben Joyce,
THAT from your society Mr.. Marble
went tonight direct to that of his tray
cling companion"
The late callers entered the room.
Mrs. LauristOn had accompanied her
husband.
Marian" she cried, "do not permit
yourself to have but one feeling-a feel
ing of gratitude that it is not too late!"
Miss Weber hardly knew how she
passed the next humiliating hour. She
was standing among her friends, finally,
i'll an apartment-hOuse, and through
lifted curtain at a closet window was
looking into a room beyond.
1t was costly furnished, with crimson
furniture, warm tinted walls, picture
on an easel, a banjo and violin. Mar
ian hardly saw these things. She saw,
with her finger on page, a girl so dark,
proud and sumptuOus in her beauty
that she might have been daughter of
Ramises. Size wore soft, clinging
crimson dress with a square corsage,
showing the fine bust and throat adorn-
ed with an amber necklace, and demi-
sleeves revealing the silver and copper
bangles which she wore with sort of
barbaric delight.
In low chair before the fire Floyd
Marble was stretched at his ease. He
rolled cigarette and lighted it. Then
he spoke to his companion. She came
smiling, and pcrched herself on the arm
of his chair. lie twisted another Gig
arctic and put it to her laughing lips.
"These are the things your money
has paid for, Marian said Mrs. Lau-
riston.
Miss Weber shivered, silently.
1.-The officers are waiting to make the
arrest" said Reuben Joyce. II suppose
we may tell them to proceed"
MOP cried Marian Weber, as If she
were stung. Come with me. l wish
to see him"
The detectives tap on the door brought
Floyd to it, cautiously.
1t was no sooner opened than Joyce,
prepared for emergency, flung it back,
keeping his hand upon it.
Marian Weber stepped within. Her
rareIladyhoOd and quiet grace had sell
don't shOne more conspicuously.
"Mr. Marble" she said, lit was my
privilege at one time to impose some
conditions upon you. | have come to
remove them, or rather to exchange
them. The new conditions would i'm.
IS